{"id":2435662,"date":"2025-05-16T15:12:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-gop-to-decide-ballot-rules-that-have-divided-the-party\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:14:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:14:18","slug":"utah-gop-to-decide-ballot-rules-that-have-divided-the-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-gop-to-decide-ballot-rules-that-have-divided-the-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah GOP to decide ballot rules that have divided the party"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futah-gop-to-decide-ballot-rules-that-have-divided-the-party%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2435662&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the Utah Republican Party is poised to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/behind-closed-doors-gop-huddled-to-game-out-war-with-china\/\" title=\"Behind Closed Doors, GOP Huddled To Game Out War With China\">make significant decisions<\/a> at an upcoming meeting where over 4,000 delegates will vote on changes to the party&#8217;s primary process, candidate qualification rules, and the election of a new chairman. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aclus-ohio-abortion-and-child-sex-change-surgery-measure-to-make-november-ballot\/\" title=\"ACLU...s Ohio ballot initiative includes abortion and child ...sex change... surgeries.\">proposed amendment seeks<\/a> to eliminate the option for candidates to gather signatures from voters to qualify for the ballot,a contentious issue that has sparked divisions within the party. Delegates will also choose between incumbent chairman Robert Axson and former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman, who both support President Trump and the MAGA movement but differ in their visions for the party&#8217;s future. Lyman aims to purge &#8220;RINOs&#8221; (Republicans In Name Only) and reject compromise,while axson advocates for legislation to maintain multiple paths for primary qualifications,reflecting a broader dispute about the party&#8217;s direction. The outcome of this meeting could have lasting implications for the Utah GOP and its alignment with national Republican strategies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Utah GOP to decide ballot rules that have divided the party<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2027026\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Delegates from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/utah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Utah<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Republican Party<\/a> are set to decide this weekend if their party will overhaul its <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">primary<\/a> process, signature requirements, and chairman.<\/p>\n<p>More than 4,000 delegates will vote on an amendment that would change party rules to get rid of candidates who use signatures from voters to get on the ballot, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deseret.com\/politics\/2025\/05\/15\/utah-republican-delegates-to-vote-on-rob-axson-or-phil-lyman-for-party-chair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according<\/a> to <em>Deseret News<\/em>. More than 4,000 delegates will also vote on their new chairman, between former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman and the incumbent chairman, Robert Axson.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3412222\/iowa-legislature-21-hour-final-day-2025-session\/\">Iowa lawmakers wrap up 21-hour final day of 2025 session<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3411539\/matt-gaetz-casey-desantis-absolute-force-florida-governor-race\/\">Matt Gaetz calls Casey DeSantis an &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gaetz-calls-casey-desantis-an-absolute-force-in-possible-florida-governor-bid\/\" title=\"Gaetz calls Casey DeSantis an \u2018absolute force\u2019 in possible Florida ... bid\">absolute force&#038;rsquo<\/a>; in possible Florida governor bid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3411071\/jack-ciattarelli-touts-trump-endorsement-new-jersey-governor\/\">Jack Ciattarelli touts Trump endorsement for New Jersey governor and slams opponent&#8217;s shade: &#8216;Can&#8217;t help himself&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Both have expressed support for President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, but the election represents a partywide disagreement about how to move forward.<\/p>\n<p>Lyman&rsquo;s campaign for the role is based on getting rid of so-called &ldquo;RINOs&rdquo; in the party and rejecting compromise. He is also planning to run for governor again in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>The signature issue stems from Lyman beating incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) by a 2-1 margin from delegates at the party&rsquo;s 2024 nominating convention. Cox&rsquo;s campaign, however, gathered signatures to qualify for the Republican primary in June and flipped the outcome with voters, winning by nearly 40,000 votes.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">At the time, Lyman&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sltrib.com\/news\/politics\/2024\/08\/02\/phil-lyman-want-toss-utah-gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">asked<\/a>&nbsp;the Utah Supreme Court to force Axson to ignore the primary results<\/span> and make Lyman the party&rsquo;s nominee. The justices refused the request.<\/p>\n<p>Now, both candidates for party chairman are looking to eliminate one&rsquo;s option to gather signatures to earn a spot in a primary election. There are disagreements on the proper course of action, however.<\/p>\n<p>Axson is looking to lobby the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-rules-ca-gov-overstepped-his-authority-with-covid-order-issues-permanent-injunction-restraining-newsom-from-further-issuing-unconstitutional-orders\/\" title=\"Judge Rules CA Gov Overstepped His Authority with Covid Order, Issues Permanent Injunction Restraining Newsom From Further Issuing Unconstitutional Orders\">state legislature<\/a> to intervene. In 2014, the Utah state legislature passed a bill that allowed for both a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >party convention candidate nomination process<\/a> and a signature-gathering path to qualify for primary elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3401202\/trump-first-100-days-party-billed-official-anything-but\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>A PARTY FOR TRUMP&rsquo;S FIRST 100 DAYS WAS BILLED AS &lsquo;OFFICIAL&rsquo; &mdash; IT WAS ANYTHING BUT THAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lyman, meanwhile, wants the party to refuse to recognize the legitimacy of candidates who collect signatures.<\/p>\n<p>Trump and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) endorsed Axson in the race for chairman. Trump previously pardoned Lyman for his conviction of leading an illegal ATV protest on federal lands with cultural importance to Native Americans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2027026\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2027026\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Utah GOP to vote on divisive ballot rules this weekend<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2435663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/utah-statehouse.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[55405,6203,40559,5894,5764],"class_list":["post-2435662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballot-rules","tag-gop","tag-party-division","tag-politics","tag-utah"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/utah-statehouse.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2435662"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2435668,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435662\/revisions\/2435668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2435663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2435662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2435662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2435662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}